Special Feature on Director Wojciech Jerzy Has, Who Shaped Contemporary Polish Cinema

The "Polish Film Festival," now in its third year, introduces many masterpieces and hidden gems from post-war Polish film history. Last year, the film that premiered at the festival,"Ida"became a hit in Europe and the US, and its theatrical release in Japan also generated buzz.

This year, the festival also features the participation of master director Jerzy Skolimowski. Twenty films have been selected, ranging from Japan premieres to masterpieces by distinctive filmmakers, with works by unique directors such as Kieślowski, Zanussi, Borowczyk, and Krauze being shown for the first time. Furthermore, to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Poland's democratization this year, four related films, including "A Year of the Quiet Sun" (1984), will also be screened.



Also featured is a special program on director Wojciech Jerzy Has, who was popular at the past two "Polish Film Festivals." Four films by director Has, known for his unique stylistic beauty in depicting the deep psychology of characters and surreal fantasy worlds, including "How to Be Loved" (1963) and "The Hourglass" (1973), will be screened. In addition, documentaries about Has himself, made by his students who have been guided by him as he served as president of the Łódź Film School, as well as works by young writers influenced by him, will also be presented.

The "Polish Film Festival 2014" opens with great fanfare this year, including a stage greeting by director Jerzy Skolimowski on the opening day, Saturday, November 22nd. We hope you will experience the pulse of Poland, which is at the forefront of contemporary European cinema.

"Polish Film Festival 2014"
Dates | Saturday, November 22nd – Friday, November 28th, Saturday, December 13th – Friday, December 26th
Venue | Theater Image Forum
2-10-2 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Tel. 03-5766-0114
Admission | Advance tickets: 1200 yen, All-access pass: 8000 yen
Same-day tickets: General 1600 yen, Students/Seniors 1200 yen, Members 1000 yen
http://www.polandfilmfes.com/

<Screening Films>
• "The Structure of Crystal" Directed by Krzysztof Zanussi, 1969 / 78 min
• "Blind Chance" Directed by Krzysztof Kieślowski, 1981 / 117 min
• "The Story of Sin" Directed by Walerian Borowczyk, 1979 / 120 min
• "Walkover" Directed by Jerzy Skolimowski, 1967-1985 / 80 min
• "Silence" Directed by Kazimierz Kutz, 1963 / 102 min *Encore Screening
• "The Third Part of the Night" Directed by Andrzej Żuławski, 1971 / 105 min *Encore Screening
• "Korczak" Directed by Andrzej Wajda, 1990 / 118 min *Encore Screening
• "Body/Body" Directed by Tomasz Wasilewski, 2013 / 93 min *Japan Premiere
• "Imagine (Original Title)" Directed by Andrzej Jakimowski, 2012 / 102 min *Japan Premiere

<Wojciech Jerzy Has Special Feature>
• "The Noose Hangman" 1957 / 96 min
• "How to Be Loved" 1963 / 97 min *Encore Screening
• "The Manuscript Found in Saragossa" 1965 / 182 min *Encore Screening
• "The Hourglass" 1973 / 125 min *Encore Screening
• "Floating Skyscraper" Directed by Tomasz Wasilewski, 2013 / 105 min
• "The Reverse" Directed by Borys Lankosz, 2009 / 99 min
• "The Trail" Directed by Robert Gliński, 2012 / 53 min

<25th Anniversary of Poland's Democratization Special Feature>
• "A Year of the Quiet Sun" Directed by Krzysztof Zanussi, 1984 / 110 min
• "The Chill" Directed by Wojciech Marczewski, 1981 / 107 min
• "Debt" Directed by Krzysztof Krauze, 1999 / 103 min
• "The House of the Day's End" Directed by Dorota Kędzierzawska, 2007 / 104 min